Country Road

One of the most enjoyable activities my wife and I do is take a long drive in the country.

The narrow winding roads are quiet. Depending on the season the trees can be a brilliant verdant or completely stripped when the fall winds and rains shake them free. Today we took such a drive which was unseasonably warm and bright. The autumn air was pungent as we traveled with the windows down. We passed by open fields and turn of the century homes dressed in white washed paint. New England is breath taking during the autumn season.

The apostle Peter describe the believers as pilgrims in a strange land (I Peter 2:11). This Christian life is a journey fraught with blessings and difficulties. Each step of the way we learn more about Christ and become like Him. And with each step we get closer to going home. Such an eternal reality of living with Him forever drives us onward. Psalms 84:5 says "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion." (ESV).

Like Christian heading toward the Celestial City in The Pilgrim's Progress the Lord sends us comforters - friends who encourage us along the way. David said it well in Psalms 23:6 "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.(KJV).

When we run out of strength to carry on - mercy lifts us up. We are reminded of His kindness and gentleness. When life seems cold and cruel with the temptation to retreat or take a short cut, goodness meets us. A reminder that God's goodness helped His Son bear the cruel weight of the cross.

Beloved, don't give up. God will help you - right on time - when you falter and fail. This journey is great and hard but together we can walk through this life victorious.

And you might as well smile and enjoy the ride. Just imagine you won't be passing by those same problems and difficulties and your inches away from seeing His beautiful face!